Echoes of the past: gold rhyton in the form of a winged lion

TEHRAN - Drinking vessels of varied designs flourished throughout the Near East from the 1st millennium BCE well into the Islamic era.

Storm shows another part of Fahraj Spice Road

TEHRAN—Storm showed another part of Fahraj Spice Road. The Spice Road was one of Iran’s first ancient routes for trading spice to various parts of the world. It was connected to Silk Road. Some parts of it were exposed in the late 1990s due to a severe storm.

Tourism, one of Iran's soft power tools in international interactions

TEHRAN—The Secretary of the Cabinet Seyyed Kamel Taqavi-Nejad said today, tourism is not only an industry but is one of the effective tools for Iran’s economic and cultural diplomacy.

224 Hamedani Mookebs render services to Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN—Reza Mousavi, a senior official of Hamedan province, said 224 Mookebs (service centers with a religious nature where Shia Muslims come together and conduct religious rituals during Arbaeen) have been launched across the province to render services to the pilgrims during Arbaeen.

University of Michigan professor congratulates Iran on UNESCO designation of Paleolithic caves

TEHRAN - Professor John D. Speth, a distinguished anthropologist and emeritus faculty member at the University of Michigan, has warmly congratulated the recent inscription of the Paleolithic caves of Iran’s Khorramabad Valley on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Negin Rasoulipour wants to rewrite history

TEHRAN - For Negin Rasoulipour Khameneh, the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 is more than just another tournament. It is a chance to rewrite history.

‘I will never regret coming’: solo female traveler reflects amid Israel’s strikes on Iran

TEHRAN - When 24-year-old Taiwanese traveler Ariel Kang Chengxuan went to bed on June 12 in Isfahan, Iran, she had no idea she was about to wake up in the midst of all-out war.

Women account for 56% of academic communities: VP

TEHRAN – According to the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, Zahra Behrouz-Azar, women comprise 56 percent of academic communities in the country, holding over 60 percent of the staff working with schools, and 63 percent of university students.

Over 27,000 people donated blood on Tasua, Ashura

TEHRAN – A total of 27,200 Iranians donated blood under a national campaign during Tasua and Ashura (the ninth and tenth days of the month of Muharram), according to Bashir Haji-Beigi, spokesman for the Blood Transfusion Organization.

Rainfall declines by almost 40%

TEHRAN – From the beginning of the current water year (September 23, 2024) to July 12, precipitation across the country amounted to 136.3 mm, indicating a 39.7 percent decrease from the long-term average of 226.1 mm recorded in the same period, according to the Meteorological Organization.

Iranian students rank 2nd in Intl. Mathematics Summer Camp

TEHRAN – An Iranian team comprising six students placed second in the 3rd International Mathematics Summer Camp (IMSC) held in Beijing, China, from June 20 to July 12, 2025.

Ad hoc working group to deal with sand and dust storms

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued an order calling for the establishment of a specialized working group to address sand and dust storms (SDSs), which have turned into a significant public health concern in the country.

Iran an important partner in One Belt, One Road initiative: China Railway general manager

TEHRAN- The general manager of China State Railway Group Company, known as China Railway (CR), considered Iran an important partner in the "One Belt, One Road" initiative and emphasized the need for coordination to stabilize prices and facilitate customs processes in the Southern Corridor.

118,000 tons of basic goods cleared from free zones in 12-day war

TEHRAN- The secretary of Iran’s Free and Special Economic Zones High Council said that during the 12 days of the imposed war, 118,000 tons of basic commodities were cleared from seven free zones, which was aimed at meeting the country's needs.

Annual copper cathode production increases 1.7%

TEHRAN- Production of copper cathode in Iran increased by 1.7 percent in the past Iranian calendar year 1403 (ended on March 20), Tasnim news agency reported.

Solar power plants with capacity of 11.5 MW put into operation in Khorasan Razavi

TEHRAN- Solar power plants with the capacity of 11.5 megawatts (MW) were put into operation in Khorasan Razavi province, in the northeast of Iran, on Monday morning.

Katic named Sepahan goalkeeping coach

TEHRAN – Branko Katic has been named as goalkeeping coach of Sepahan football club.

Gaza’s health authority mourns surgeon killed by Israel

Dr Ahmad Qandeel, a surgeon who worked at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the northern part of Gaza, was killed during a drone strike on a public market.

UN urged to take legal action at ICJ to uphold Francesca Albanese’s immunity

Special Rapporteurs enjoy full diplomatic immunity under international law. Fellow experts suggest US sanctions could be the subject of proceedings before the International Court of Justice.

By Sondoss Al Asaad

Dramatic US threat to Lebanon: Surrender by force or else!

BEIRUT — In a post on X, US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack has claimed that his statements to The National were not intended to threaten Lebanon, but rather to praise the Syrian regime's “impressive strides”.

Tehran stands by Leader’s fatwa banning nuclear weapons: Parliament

TEHRAN — The Iranian Parliament has once again underlined the country’s unwavering commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, with top lawmakers emphasizing that Iran’s nuclear doctrine remains fully aligned with the Leader’s religious decree prohibiting nuclear weapons.

Pezeshkian says Iranian unity key to repelling Israel’s aggression 

President Masoud Pezeshkian credited Iranian national unity and military strength for their recent success in repelling an unprovoked act of aggression by the Israeli regime.

28 ambassadors to Iran tour attacked IRIB complex

TEHRAN – Ambassadors from 28 nations toured the bombed headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Sunday.